Archive for the ‘Industry News’ Category

Mikal Software recently won the prestigious 2011 Innovative Solutions Award in the In-Store Customer Touch Point category. Presented by VSR and the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) along with judges from Hospitality Technology magazine and RIS News, the awards honor those companies who truly revolutionize business technology. The judges carefully looked at nearly 100 nominations in seven categories to find the best of the best in the industry. In its 4th year, the Innovative Solutions Awards strive to recognize the companies that make their clients’ business stronger and more efficient. Mikal Software has won for their CyberPreceptionist, a user–friendly software program designed to let employees and clients book appointments with ease. Staff in a day spa or salon can also manage customers using a tablet device that allows the front desk receptionist to become portable by handling client check-in, check-out, updates to client tech and personal information, and checking on real-time activity in the front of the salon, like number of clients waiting, bookings to date, or cancellations. For a closer look at all of the award winners, visit http://vsr.edgl.com/magazine/August-2011/The-2011-Innovative-Solutions-Awards-Winners74913.

As a big fan of New York City’s various food trucks, I was excited to hear that a free mobile beauty bus would soon be roaming the city streets. Introduced by Hair Room Service, a celebrity stylist mobile salon, and Daily Candy, an insider’s guide to fun, fashion, food, and more, the Beauty Bus is scheduled to makeover Manhattan, September 22 through 24, from noon to 8pm. The glass truck will feature styling chairs, mirrors, and beauty product must-haves. New Yorkers will be invited onboard to experience professional makeup applications, DIY beauty tips, and hairstyling consultations. Sponsored by Procter & Gamble’s Pantene, Cover Girl, and Olay brands, the Beauty Bus will also have Hair Room Service celebrity stylists and DailyCandy editors on-site to offer fall hair and beauty tips. It is scheduled to stop in the following locations:

SoHo on September 22 (Broadway, between Houston and Prince Sts.)

Bryant Park on September 23 (Sixth Ave, between 40th and 41st Sts.)

Union Square on September 24 (Union Square West, between 15th and 16th Sts.)

SpaFinderpartnered with actress Mariel Hemingway to promote its upcoming Wellness Week, which takes place March 19–25 in spas nationwide. Wellness Week brings together spas, fitness studios, yoga practitioners, Pilates studios, and other wellness businesses. In addition to offering free classes, workshops, seminars, and consultations, participating locations will also offer weeklong specials, providing consumers with an affordable way to experience the benefits of a wellness-based lifestyle. “We are thrilled to join forces with Mariel Hemingway, as she exemplifies what the wellness lifestyle is truly all about,” says Sallie Fraenkel, who leads Wellness Week for SpaFinder. “Her passionate voice will draw even wider attention to Wellness Week and inspire more people to make wellness a priority in their daily lives.”

Not surprisingly, people are always asking me about spa trends. However, because I’ve been covering the industry for so long now, I’m sometimes at a loss to point out anything truly new. That’s why I’m always interested to learn what other industry insiders think. Recently, the folks at Spa Week released their top 10 spa treatment trends for fall 2011. See if you agree…

If you’ve read my blogs over the past year or so, you will know that I am a giant fan of CND’s Shellac manicures and pedicures (I actually am sporting one right now). I was hooked after my first manicure lasted for nearly three weeks without a chip, and I’ve pretty much kept my nails Shellac’d ever since. So, I can say that I’ve seen some amazing Shellac applications, as well as some that are not so impressive. So I was excited to see that CND is now taking steps to make sure this service is performed properly. Now, clients across the U.S. will soon be assured that the Shellac services they are being offered have CND’s official seal of approval. The CND Shellac Salon Certification Program will showcase spas and salons that provide quality CND Shellac services.

To earn this coveted certification, spas and salons must prove they precisely follow corporate protocol for every CND Shellac service to clients—from application to removal. Certified spas and salons will be listed in CND’s Salon Locator on cnd.com, receive CND Shellac certified window signage, and have the opportunity to participate in other business building programs. To be certified, a CND representative will visit the spa or salon and review protocol, as well as educate spa and salon professionals on CND Shellac services. In addition, the spa or salon must fulfill the following requirements:

“The implementation of CND’s Shellac Salon Certification Program will ensure the ultimate experience for clients and will provide a great incentive to nail professionals to provide exemplary Shellac services,” says CND co-founder Jan Arnold.

Those wishing to receive CND Shellac Salon Certification are required to register on the Salon Locator at www.cnd.com. If you are already registered and have accepted CND’s new terms and conditions, call the CND Hotline to request certification. For more information, call (800) 833-NAIL.

I’m proud to share some exciting news from some of my favorite people in business. A group of spa industry experts have launched, Uspa Immersion, a new hybrid of wellness, spa, and fitness. It is a collaborative development from three industry-leading firms with development and project planning expertise, as well as facility management, operational, and retail experience.

Uspa Immersion is a fully integrated brand featuring a focus on green and sustainable principles and an emphasis on innovations in design, education/training, services, products, and business tools. Inspired by traditional indigenous rituals and by the science of nature, Uspa Immersion uses only natural and organic products with an emphasis on performance and offers a full range of authentic services, therapeutic treatments, and wellness and life-improvement experiences.

The marriage of the Blu Spas, Ageless Esthetics, and Uspa teams has created an unequaled match of talent and experience. Their combined expertise ranges from distinctive design, turn-key operations, business analysis, product and service treatment development, product distribution, retail, sales and marketing, and training. Throughout their history of creating world-class wellness, spa, and fitness facilities and product companies globally, this team has been recognized for capturing authentic and marketable qualities from the local culture, and delivering distinctive facilities and guest experiences. Their project planning has led to the unveiling some of the best wellness, spa and fitness facilities in the world.

Collectively, the Uspa Immersion executive team has been involved in more than 350 projects in over 30 countries and includes Rob Insinger, Cary Collier, Doug Chambers, Ronel Corbin, Justin Morgan, Lisa Jacobs, Jackie Insinger, Brooke Taylor, Ashlee Anderson, and Rianna Riego. Additionally, the group has assembled a medical advisory team representing varying disciplines to guide its wellness, fitness, and life-improvement programs.

Cary Collier, the group’s principal designer, says, “Our team has carefully created a ground-breaking combination featuring truly innovative experiences; a balance of sustainable, sensuous design and technology; wellness, fitness, spa, waters, retail, and integrated web business features; and a star line-up of Uspa products and services.” Operations guru Ronel Corbin says, “While it’s the creative side of our team that breathes the soul into our Uspa Immersion, it’s the analytical side that assures our projects are functional and, ultimately, best positioned for profitability.” George Jilly, Founder of Uspa, adds, “There is a spectacular story and purpose behind everything we do – the products, the treatments, the design details. Our passion is to inspire our guests through our meticulous fusion of nature, function and purpose.”

Rishi Tea was named official beverage of National Yoga Month, which started Sept. 1. Yoga is an important part of the culture at Rishi Tea, as employees participate in a yoga class every Friday afternoon, which helps them wind down after a busy week at work. When the class is over, employees are encouraged to drink a cup of Unity Herbal Tea to further relax their minds and bodies and prepare to leave work for the week in a state of zen. In addition to being the official beverage of National Yoga Month, Rishi Tea will donate 25 percent of its online sales and 10 percent of its wholesale sales from its Organic Unity Herbal Tea to the National Yoga Month Organization, which helps promote yoga and healthy living across the country. “We’re thrilled to be a part of National Yoga Month,” says Todd Wickstrom, COO of Rishi Tea. “Yoga and tea seem to pair up perfectly, as both can help people pursue healthier, more enriching lifestyles.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, which swept through the East Coast this past weekend and caused extensive damage in several states, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) has quickly stepped up and is doing its part to help those in our industry who are impacted. Now, you can help, as well. Donate to the PBA | NCA Disaster Relief Fund to help beauty professionals rebuild after the damage caused by Hurricane Irene. For more information and to make a tax deductible donation and/or request assistance, please visit www.probeauty.org/disaster-relief-fund.

Gharieni, a leading German manufacturer of high-end spa and medical furniture, treatment beds, and equipment has made its U.S. debut, and its offerings are now available in America. The company’s spa division features a range of beauty and relaxation couches along with a selection of equipment and furniture. The medical division designs and manufactures examination beds for ENT, podiatry, ultrasound, and more that provide comfortable and optimized positioning for patients. Visit www.gharieni.de, or learn more in person at SPATEC Fall, which takes place Sept. 7-10 in Dana Point, CA.

Book4Time was chosen as the central spa software vendor for The Grooming Company and its portfolio of spa brands, which include N.BAR (pictured), Jet Set, 1847, and Tilia & Finn with a combined 19 locations in Dubai and many more planned for 2012 and on. “Book4Time was the clear choice for The Grooming Company to centralize our locations onto one cloud-based platform, enhancing our overall operations through seamless guest service management,” says Namrata Gupta, COO of The Grooming Company. “Reducing hardware and IT costs while providing a cost-effective and scalable solution for our growing business is key to our overall guest management strategy.”